Virgil Willis Hughes

Virgil W. Hughes, Sr., 92, passed away peacefully on December 2, 2015, at Presbyterian Manor in Farmington. Services will be for immediate family only, and are being handled by C.Z. Boyer & Son Funeral Homes. Honorary pallbearers are Brian Stam, Shannon Hughes, Jason Stam, Brent Hughes, Nathan Hughes, Kent Crawford, Matt Joiner, Jonathan Kerley, and Jeffrey Crisp. Mr. Hughes was born on January 29, 1923 in Cherryville (now Wortham), to Azro and Lucinda Belle Hughes. He graduated from Leadwood High School in 1942, and then married Ruth Hasse Hughes in August 1942. Mr. Hughes served his country as part of the Army Air Force in World War II. He returned home to Leadwood and worked as a draftsman and surveyor for St. Joe, Indian Creek, and Pea Ridge mines. Mr. Hughes was an active member of East Side Church of God in Leadwood. He had a heart for youth ministry, teaching the youth Sunday school class and developing long-lasting and meaningful relationships with the friends of his children. He also served the community as a Boy Scout leader, and his yard was a neighborhood gathering place for basketball, whiffle ball, badminton, and other sports, of which he was an enthusiastic and talented participant. Mr. Hughes always encouraged young people to do their best and to put their trust in Jesus Christ, often telling them how God always provides for the needs of His children. Mr. Hughes enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was an avid golfer, even working at the Bonne Terre and Eagle Lake Golf Clubs in exchange for tee time. Mr. Hughes loved his bride of 72 years and his family, and always put their needs above his own. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, 13 brothers and sisters, and son-in-law Francis “Sonny” Stam. He is survived by four children: Virgil “Rusty” Jr. (Pauline) of Allen, TX; Darrell Ray (Marcy) of Roswell, GA; LeaDonna Stam of Farmington; Annetta (Clark) Crawford of Ooltewah, TN; nine grandchildren: Melanie (Matt) Joiner, Nathan (Kelli) Hughes, Heather (Jeffrey) Crisp, Shannon (Keri) Hughes, Brent Hughes, Brian (Tracy) Stam, Jason (Ashley) Stam, Kristin (Jonathan) Kerley, and Kent (Elizabeth) Crawford; and sixteen great-grandchildren: Grace and Michael Joiner; Emma Hughes; Daniel, Julia, and Samuel Hughes; Hanna Stam; Travis, Ciera, and Dillan Stam; Michael, Logan, Alyssa, Andrew, Daniel, and Lucas Kerley.